Fred Norman Secondary School, located in the town of Ennerdale, Johannesburg South, has caught the attention of the Gauteng Minister of Education (MEC), Panyaza Lesufi, due to the unfolding of a racist altercation between one of the school's teachers and a grandparent of one of the learners.
In a video making the rounds on social media, the Black educator can be heard firing racist remarks towards the Coloured grandparent.
The teacher recorded herself arguing with the grandparent, who came to the school to ask why her granddaughter had not been allowed to attend the teacher’s class for the past two weeks.
The heated dispute took place in a classroom in front of several learners who can be seen standing on desks with a front row seat to the argument.
In the video, the teacher can be heard saying "I don’t like Coloureds,” as well as calling the grandparent "trash", which has now prompted outrage and interference from the community and Lesufi.
A group gathered outside the school's gates, demanding the dismissal of the educator with immediate effect.
"Luckily this time she was caught on camera boldly insulting our community. We are not racists but we demand a public apology from her, and for her to be fired from this school,” said Ennerdale resident John Delange.
The fired-up group used Lesufi’s visit as an opportunity to voice other problems faced by the school, including bullying and substance abuse amongst transport drivers and learners.
In addition to these grievances, the group also alleged that this was not the first time this particular educator has been racist. Allegedly, the teacher, along with a few of her colleagues, have outwardly told the community's children that they "don't like Coloureds."
Lesufi told the group that racism will not be tolerated, therefore temporarily suspending the educator while further investigations are currently underway.
“I am hurt by the teacher’s utterances. That conduct is unacceptable. No-one must defend such behaviour,” Lesufi told the group. “The teacher has been placed on precautionary suspension. The department has prioritized this matter and we will move with speed to resolve it.”
